Postpartum Mood Disorders
Postpartum Mood Disorders
Postpartum depression and bipolar-related conditions occur during pregnancy or after childbirth. Symptoms may include depression, anxiety, mood swings, or intrusive thoughts and are influenced by hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and stress on the brain. If a mother is struggling with these symptoms it does not reflect personal failure. The symptoms occur due to a combination of environmental stress and biological causes together. Understanding this allows for earlier recognition and more appropriate treatment.
Did you know?
Many psychiatric drugs cross into the breast milk at varying concentrations. Some of these drugs are unsafe for the baby. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of how each drug can affect both the mother and her newborn.
What does this mean?
For mothers who choose to feed their baby breast milk, it is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of medications in general, and about each specific medication.